Healthy Living

Shaving your pubic area takes care and patience, but it is a straightforward process once you know the steps. The safest method involves trimming first, preparing the skin with warm water and a gentle cleanser, using a fresh razor with light strokes in the direction of hair growth, and finishing with a mild, fragrance-free moisturizer. … Read more

If you believe a hospital has harmed you or a loved one through negligent care, you can report it to the state health department, a state medical board, or the hospital’s own patient advocate. You can also file a complaint with The Joint Commission, which accredits most US hospitals, or contact a medical malpractice attorney … Read more

During pregnancy, your cervix is sealed by a thick jelly-like substance called the mucus plug. When your cervix begins to soften and open in preparation for labor, this plug can come loose and pass through the vagina. You may notice it as a sudden increase in discharge that looks like thick mucus, often tinged with … Read more

Interstitial cystitis, also called bladder pain syndrome, is a chronic condition that causes bladder pressure, bladder pain, and sometimes pelvic pain. While there is no cure, treatment focuses on relieving symptoms and improving quality of life. The right plan often combines dietary changes, physical therapy, oral medications, and bladder instillations, and it is tailored to … Read more

Your immune system has two main parts. The innate immune system is the one you are born with. It is your body’s first line of defense against germs like bacteria and viruses. It works the same way for everyone, and it reacts within minutes of an invader being detected. This system does not remember specific … Read more

The Heimlich maneuver is a series of abdominal thrusts used to dislodge an object blocking a person’s airway. For adults and children over one year old, you stand behind them, make a fist, and press inward and upward just above the navel. For babies under one year old, you do not use abdominal thrusts; instead, … Read more

Needing to urinate but not being able to can be uncomfortable and frustrating. The most reliable way to encourage urination is to relax your pelvic floor muscles, sit in a normal position, and give yourself time without straining. If you are in a medical situation where you must produce a urine sample, running water, applying … Read more

Lower back pain can stop you in your tracks. It can make simple tasks like bending over to tie your shoes or getting out of a car feel impossible. The truth is, most episodes of acute lower back pain are mechanical and improve within a few weeks, but that doesn’t make the pain any less … Read more

Plasmapheresis is a medical procedure that removes blood plasma from the body and replaces it with a substitute solution. It works by separating the liquid part of your blood from the cells, then returning the cells to your bloodstream. The procedure treats conditions where harmful substances in the plasma cause disease, such as certain autoimmune … Read more

Fruit leather is dried fruit puree that has been flattened and dehydrated until it becomes a chewy, flexible sheet. The process is simple: fruit is pureed, spread thin, and dried until most of the water is gone. The result is a concentrated fruit snack that keeps the fiber and many of the nutrients of the … Read more